Page:What to do for Uncle Sam; a first book of citizenship (IA whattodoforuncle00bail).pdf/146

142 boy and girl in the town. This help begins at home. You should be very sure that a lighted match has gone out before you throw it away, that no gas is escaping anywhere in the house, that you have not left a bonfire smouldering, and that the fire in the open fireplace does not glow when you leave it for the night. Do not light a fire in a stove with kerosene, and put all hot ashes or oily rags in a metal can. Never build a bonfire near a wooden fence or a frame building. Learn the number of your fire alarm and how to send it in. Remember just where some large pails are and the nearest water taps to use, in case of a fire at home, before the firemen come.

The first thing that a boy or girl ought to do at an entertainment or a motion picture show in a public hall is to look around and see where the big red signs that mark the exits are. In case of fire walk, not run, to the exit nearest your seat. Many schools have such exits, and all children can learn to go through a fire drill as if they were real firemen, taking their way through smoke and flames.

The street department needs you, too. It needs your work in keeping your sidewalk clean, and your garbage can clean and covered. Do not scatter rubbish, or tamper with the street water hydrants. The fire hose is attached to these hydrants.